London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Conservative London Assembly member Roger Evans, who obtained the figures, called for undercover police to carry out "sting operations", adding that policing should be reviewed across the capital's transport network.

He said: "The number of bus drivers facing physical attack or verbal abuse on London's bus network is alarming.

"Nobody should have to put up with threats or violence while doing their job.

"I fully appreciate that money has been invested in patrols on our buses by the police however we need to go further."

TfL's director of buses, Mike Weston, said: "We do not tolerate threatening behaviour toward our staff, they are here to do a job and should be allowed to do so without fear for their safety."